Stuart is best known for his 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” which starred Gene Wilder as the oddball chocolatier. Despite its poor return at the box office, the film went on to become a cult classic, inspiring a generation of kids and adults with its memorable songs and colorful visuals.

Fun news for all you “Willy Wonka” fans: That iconic scene when Gene Wilder makes his grand entrance from his Chocolate Factory, loses his cane, then somersaults and pops up to great applause? It was all Wilder’s idea.

In a note from Gene Wilder to director Mel Stuart, Wilder pitches that scene in great detail, saying it’s important “because from that time on, no one will know if